South Carolina’s Small Business Chamber of Commerce, led by Frank Knapp, advocates for state-level AI oversight amid the 2026 legislative session, clashing with President Trump’s executive order barring state AI rules. Knapp highlights risks like AI chatbots grooming children for exploitation or harming mental health users, urging action now over federal delays.
Key Concerns
- Child and Mental Health Safety: AI chatbots pose suicide risks and emotional manipulation, especially for vulnerable users.
- Healthcare AI: 47 states eye bills for AI in health services; locals like Charleston’s Will Vandergrift oppose replacing human therapists with AI.
- Federal vs. State Clash: Trump prioritizes U.S. AI leadership; Knapp insists states can’t wait, predicting legal battles.
Recent SC AI Developments
South Carolina enacted bans on AI-generated revenge porn and child abuse material. Current proposals support open-source AI (S.225), “Right to Compute Act” for infrastructure risks (H.4657), and protections for kids’ data/elections. Bipartisan lawmakers resist federal moratoriums, affirming states’ rights.​
Track SC State House bills for updates as the session nears—relevant to your civic and tech regulation interests.
